It is a chilling figure: according to a 2025 WHO report, nearly 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced physical and/or sexual violence during their lifetime. The number has barely seen any change in the last two decades. Clearly, the sustainable prevention of gender-based violence (GBV) presents a critical global challenge to this day.
Together with our partners, we are always looking for fresh approaches to improve gender equality and combat gender-based violence. To mark International Women’s Day 2026 under the theme of “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls”, SWISSAID is co-hosting with the ILS Law College, Pune, a webinar on 9 March 2026, 10:00-11:00 CET. The event will make the case for an innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable strategy: collaborating with law schools to strengthen prevention efforts when it comes to violence against women and girls.
Students from law colleges in the Marathwada region, faculty members of ILS Law college, and development experts will give insight into how best to integrate practical experience working on GBV cases with legal training and advocacy for gender justice.
Register until 7 March 2026. Scroll down to learn more about the programme.
How law schools can strengthen gender-based violence prevention
From slow processes to legal loopholes: The prevention of and response to gender-based violence are lacking to a certain degree because of weaknesses in legal systems worldwide. Hence, it is important to work closely with those shaping tomorrow’s justice systems. As future justice providers, law students can spread legal awareness further and connect communities, NGOs, and governments to work towards gender-just legal systems.
The approach pushes law schools beyond traditional classrooms, positioning students, legal aid clinics, and academic institutions as active actors in gender-based violence prevention and response.
Practical insights from law schools in India
The strategy is particularly interesting for development professionals who aim to create impact that lasts beyond the duration of a project. At SWISSAID, we have gained relevant experience from our work in India. In the Marathwada region, law schools and legal aid clinics commonly work alongside civil society and survivor-centred support services.
Faculty members and students from law colleges in the Marathwada region will share first-hand accounts of their experience collaborating with NGOs and legal authorities on gender-based violence (GBV) prevention initiatives. The webinar will answer questions such as:
- What key lessons and new perspectives do the students take away from being directly involved in handling GBV cases?
- How do law colleges benefit from working with NGOs and other partners to prevent GBV?
- How can partnerships with law colleges help NGOs create longer-lasting change?
Are you curious to learn how we can create better justice systems that encompass gender sensitivity, human rights values, and survivor-centred approaches? Join our webinar by registering above.